HSE executive in charge of running hospitals transferred after less than a year in job

The senior executive in charge of running the country's hospitals has been transferred to a new post, less than a year after taking up the position in the Health Service Executive.

Ian Carter, HSE national director for acute hospitals, has been reassigned to the post of national director for strategic developments.

His transfer coincides with the departure of the HSE's chief financial officer (CFO) Tom Byrne, also after less than a year with the organisation. Mr Byrne, who joined the HSE last May and was approaching the end of the probationary period of a five-year contract, is leaving to pursue business interests in the private sector.

Continuing failure

The changes are occurring against a background of continuing failure by the HSE to balance its budget and to make cost savings demanded by the Government. The Department of Public Expenditure has been particularly critical of its inability to rein in costs. The HSE is expected to run at least €200 million over budget by the end of this year.

Last week, the Department of Health formally told the Government it will not generate the level of savings originally anticipated under the Haddington Road agreement.

In an 80-page implementation plan for the deal, given to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, it signalled the most realistic target for savings for the year was €212 million.

Mr Carter, a former chief executive of St James’s Hospital, is on a five-year secondment to the health service.

Ongoing process

He is being replaced by Dr Tony O’Connell, the Australian-educated chief executive of the Dublin North-East/Royal College of Surgeons hospital group.

Asked why Mr Carter was being moved, a HSE spokesman said it was “part of the ongoing process of health services reform”.

The job of CFO is being filled on an acting-up basis by Stephen Mulvaney, national director of mental health, who was acting CFO before Mr Byrne's appointment. His deputy, Anne O'Connor, will serve as acting director of mental health.